Extension Tips
Tips and trivia for the season
By Robert N. Brewer, Jr. Extension Service Agent UGA

Harvest raspberries to discourage Japanese beetles. They are also a sweet and juicy berry to enjoy.

*B&B Burlap

If cotton burlap was used to wrap ball-and-burlap tree roots, you don't have to remove it. Just untie and roll it down from the trunk until it doesn't stick above the soil line. If a synthetic material wrapped the roots, remove it completely, if possible, or at least turn it back to expose the sides of the ball and cut if off or push it to the bottom of the hole. If the tree species you are planting is one that grows a taproot, remove all of the synthetic material, or the root won't be able to grow properly.

*Berry Flavor

The flavor and yield of strawberries vary from year to year, depending on spring growing conditions. Excessive rainfall dilutes the berries' flavor and increases losses from fungal diseases.

*Berry Often

Harvest raspberries often to discourage Japanese beetles or sap beetles from becoming troublesome. Both insects are especially attracted to ripe and overripe fruit.

*Best Bugs

The best way to get the most from beneficial insects such as lady bugs is to have plants they like near your garden. Use a mixture of crimson clove and hairy vetch as a cover crop. These plants will provide predators needed habitat while improving the soil. Switching to insecticidal sprays that break down readily will also help.

*Best Shade When planting a new shade tree, look at all of its characteristics. Consider whether it's messy or neat, weak- or strong-wooded and long- or short-lived. Resist the temptation to plant a fastgrowing, weak tree for quick shade.

*Best Squash

Yellow crook-neck or straight-neck squash tastes best when 4 to 7 inches long. Pick them when they're pale yellow (rather than golden) and before skin hardens. Scalloped (patty pan) squash is best when grayish or greenish white (before it turns ivory white) and is still small, even silver-dollar size.

*Better Mimosas

Mimosa trees often disappoint homeowners when they die an early death. Lab tests show mimosa deaths, once blamed on wilt disease, result from a combination of wilt and nematodes. New tests will help plant breeders select varieties resistant to both problems.

*Bitter Cukes

Cucumbers develop a bitter taste if the soil is not kept consistently moist. Harvest cukes for pickling whole when they're 2 to 4 inches long. For table use, pick them when they're longer than 5 inches. Remove any overripe cucumbers to encourage continuous production.

*Bloom Du Jour

Okra, one of the showiest blooms in the vegetable garden, bears flowers that last only one day. If the flower has been pollinated, a miniature okra pod can be seen beneath the wilted flower.

*Blossom-end Rot

In most cases, blossom-end rot on tomatoes, peppers, squash and watermelons can be prevented. Maintaining uniform soil moisture by mulching and watering correctly. Plant in welldrained soil and don't cultivate deeper than one inch within 1 foot of the plant. And avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers.